After saving a skinny, urine-stained dog from the streets, the Animal Rescue League of NH (New Hampshire) shared a heartfelt message for the people who abandoned her, hoping to inspire others in a similar position to reconsider their actions.
“We want you to know that your little girl was found and is safe,” writes the rescue in a Facebook post shared on Sunday, captioned “A Letter to ‘Rae’s’ Previous Owners,” which has received over 1,000 likes and 109 comments on the platform.
“We are sure that it was frustrating watching her constantly pee and bleed in your home. We are sure she damaged floors and rugs, and it was a lot to clean up. She didn’t want to be a disappointment in that way. We are sure she loved you, she seems to love everyone. She was in a lot of pain,” the post continues.
Naomi Stevens, chief operating officer of the Animal Rescue League of NH in Bedford, New Hampshire, told Newsweek that on May 20, they arrived at the shelter to find that the police had dropped off a small stray dog in the overnight kennels, which are accessible only to police departments.
“I knew immediately that something was off. She was really skinny, covered in urine staining, and straining to urinate, and it was small amounts that were dark and bloody,” Stevens said.
“We checked lost reports and scoured the lost and found Facebook groups and the police compared her description to any licensed dogs in the town. But to no avail. It was clear someone wasn’t looking for her. They either abandoned her or she got out and they just thought it was easier to let someone else deal with her situation.”
After getting the Shih Tzu an X-ray, they found a giant bladder stone filling the entirety of the organ, which had possibly been growing for months, and could have killed Rae had she spent more time outside with no medical help.
“We are fortunate to have our shelter veterinarian, Dr. Stephanie Magnarelli, who was able to operate to successfully remove the stone as well as spay her and bring all of her vaccines current. She is recovering beautifully from her surgery. She was always a sweet little girl, but now her big, bubbly personality is shining through,” Stevens said.
Not only has Rae been given a new lease on life, but she may have already found a new loving family as well.
“Her finder who called the police to bring her to us expressed interest in adopting her, and is coming this week to meet her and hopefully finalize an adoption,” Stevens said.
While they have a strong suspicion of where Rae came from, the shelter’s message to the people who abandoned her is one of empathy and support.
“Very sad that they went this route, but we wanted to reach them in a nonjudgmental way and speak to not only them but to others who might find themselves with a pet with a medical condition they can’t manage or afford,” Stevens said.
“We have programs to help. We want to put the welfare of the animals first, but we can’t support the animals without helping the people who love them as well. Casting harsh judgment and/or criticism will only make people less comfortable coming to us when they do need our help, potentially resulting in more ‘Raes.’”
Each year, 5.8 million pets enter U.S. shelters, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The length of time dogs, especially large dogs, spend in shelters before being adopted has increased over the last five years.
Around 607,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
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